If you’re wary about driving on the other side of the road, or you just want to relax without having to think about parking, then don’t worry – you don’t need a car to have a great time in Orlando.
Maybe you’re thinking of the environment, perhaps you’re travelling on a budget, or maybe you just want to enjoy a glass of wine without having to drive home afterwards. No matter what your reason is for not hiring a car during your trip to Orlando, we’ve put together this post to help you navigate public transport and get around easily while you’re there.
How to plan your routes in Orlando
There’s an abundance of different public transport options in Orlando, and which one you decide on will depend on where you stay, your destination, the cost, and the time it takes to get there. The Moovit App will be your best friend during your stay, as you can plan your route on here and access up-to-date timetables for all the available transport options.
Top tips for using public transport in Orlando
Here are some of our top tips to help you navigate public transport in Orlando with ease:
- Plan your routes on the Moovit App
- Check the timetables before you travel – sometimes public transport finishes early, and you don’t want to miss the nighttime shows in the theme parks!
- Check whether you need to buy your travel tickets in advance online
- Carry cash for on-board fares
How to get from the airport to your Orlando hotel without a car
You’re most likely to fly into Orlando International Airport for your holiday. It’s the biggest airport in the area and the one with the most flights from the UK. Most major airports in the UK fly here, including London Heathrow, Manchester, and Edinburgh.
From the airport, there are several ways to get to your hotel without hiring a car:
- Local bus: The LYNX bus is the cheapest option at just $2 per journey or $4.50 for all day. However, the stops are limited, so you may need to change buses to get to your final destination. Stops include Downtown Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando.
- Ride sharing: Rideshare apps like Lyft, Uber, Wingz, and KreweCar are very popular in Orlando. You can book and pay for your journey in advance, so you’ll know exactly how much it is going to cost.
- Airport shuttle: You can arrange a private or shared airport transfer. Universal Orlando Resort has its own shuttle service, which you can book, and some hotels in Orlando provide complimentary airport transfers.
How to get to the theme parks without a car
Leaving the car behind when you visit the theme parks can save you quite a bit when it comes to parking fees. You can then put this towards snacks or merch in the parks – win win!
Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Universal Orlando Resort transportation systems
The easiest way to get around the two biggest resorts in Orlando is to stay in either a Walt Disney World Resort hotel or a Universal Orlando Resort hotel. Both of these offer excellent transportation systems, including shuttle buses, monorails, and water taxis. Decide which of the theme parks you’ll be spending more of your time in, and then choose a hotel based on this.
Some of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels and Universal Orlando Resort hotels are also within walking distance of the theme parks.
Ride sharing services (such as Uber and Lyft) are the best way to get between Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Universal Orlando Resort. There are buses, but the routes aren’t always direct, and you may end up on them for a long period of time for what is a relatively short drive. When your holiday time is precious, it might be better to spend it enjoying the parks than sitting on a bus.
Free shuttle service
If you decide not to stay at a resort hotel, many hotels in Orlando offer a complimentary shuttle service to the various theme parks and water parks, including those at Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando.
Some of the shuttles require advance reservations, so be sure to check this with your hotel.
How to get to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay without a car
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a little further away from the rest of the theme parks. It’s around an hour and 15 minutes’ drive. Luckily, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay provides a free shuttle service for its guests from Orlando.
The shuttle service is included with Busch Gardens tickets and picks guests up from four stops:
- SeaWorld Orlando – 7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando, FL 32821
- Publix Vineland Avenue Orlando – 8145 Vineland Ave, Orlando, FL 32821
- Doubletree Universal Orlando – 5780 Major Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819
- ICON Orlando – 8401 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
How to get to Orlando’s other attractions without a car
We always recommend scheduling in a few days of your holiday to see what else Florida has to offer beyond the main theme parks.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex can be a tricky one to get to if you haven’t hired a car, as there isn’t really a public transport option. However, don’t worry – there is an easy option.
If you book a Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex tour, round-trip transportation is included. Pick-up locations include International Drive, Walt Disney World Resort, and Kissimmee. You’ll travel comfortably in an air-conditioned coach, making the journey a breeze – quite literally!
Discovery Cove
Add a day at Discovery Cove to your trip if you and your family want to explore a tropical paradise complete with beaches and an abundance of sea life. A dolphin swim here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and something you’ll never forget.
Discovery Cove offers a free shuttle service from SeaWorld Orlando, so you can make your way here, which is an easy journey via public transport.
Options include:
- Take a LYNX bus from the Transportation and Ticket Center at Walt Disney World Resort
- Hop on the I-RIDE Trolley from International Drive
- Take the SeaWorld shuttle from Universal CityWalk
Things to do in Orlando without a car
If you’re wanting to explore more of Orlando outside of the typical theme parks and attractions without a car, here are some of the things we recommend:
Thing to do | Description | How to get there |
Lake Eola | Large park with walking/running track around the lake, birdlife, beautiful gardens, swan-shaped paddle boats, and the Walt Disney Amphitheater, which has concerts and plays | Take a LYNX bus to Downtown Orlando |
Winter Park | City with upmarket shops, elegant restaurants, parks, and lakes | LYNX bus Take the SunRail to Park Avenue Winter Park |
Public transport in Orlando
Summary – public transport in Orlando
- LYNX bus system
- SunRail
- Brightline
- LYMMO
- I-RIDE Trolley
LYNX bus system
LYNX is the local bus operator. It’s great for exploring Downtown Orlando and is a very cost-effective option at just $2 for each journey. The major theme parks are on bus routes. However, the stops may be further from the entrances than the shuttle services.
If you’re staying in Kissimmee, there is a direct bus service (number 56) to Walt Disney World Resort, stopping at the Ticket & Transportation Center. From here, you can use Walt Disney World Resort’s free transportation system to get to the other theme parks, hotels, or Disney Springs.
SunRail
SunRail is a train that runs from Kissimmee to Debary (between Orlando and Daytona Beach). Stops include Downtown Orlando, Winter Park, and Sanford, and the train operates Monday to Friday between 5am and 11pm.
Just like LYNX buses, this is a very cheap way to travel, with each journey starting from $2. Children under six travel for free, and discounts are available for seniors and youths.
Brightline
Brightline is a high-speed rail line connecting Orlando with South Florida, which means you can take a day trip to West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and even Miami. You could also extend your stay in Florida by adding on a few days at one of these destinations to your holiday.
Each train has comfortable seats, free Wi-Fi, so you can update your social media channels with pics of your adventures, and a food and drinks service.
LYMMO
LYMMO is a bus service that has its own right of way, so it’s unaffected by traffic in the area. This makes it a quick and easy way to get around Downtown Orlando. There are three different lines which are named after fruits:
- Orange line
- Lime line
- Grapefruit line
LYMMO operates between 6am and 9pm on weekdays, with a later start of 8am at weekends (perfect for a lie-in!).
I-RIDE Trolley
The I-RIDE Trolley looks a bit like a combination of a bus and a tram and is a great way to travel on International Drive. It runs every 20 minutes all day and into the evening, with 78 stops along the route, so you can visit and there are shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions. It is wheelchair accessible.
Stops include:
- SeaWorld Orlando
- Universal Orlando Resort
- Aquatica
- Icon Park, where you’ll find the Orlando Eye
- Shopping outlets
Top tip: If you’re planning to use the I-RIDE Trolley a lot during your holiday, then it’s worth buying a travel pass that covers a few days rather than paying for each journey, as it will work out cheaper. You can buy a single journey, but you’ll need the exact change, which can sometimes be difficult.
Taking a rideshare in Orlando
Although there are a range of public transport options in Orlando, it is sometimes easier and quicker to take a rideshare using an app like Uber or Lyft. However, this is definitely a more costly option.
Work out before your holiday how much you can budget for getting around and then factor in these costs. You might not want to take Ubers everywhere, but it might be worth splashing out for one if you have a very early start one day or to save time if you only have a day in one of the theme parks.
The great thing about these apps is that you can see exactly how much the journey will cost you before you press book, so you won’t be caught out with costly taxi fares.
Now you know you’re not going to need a car in Orlando, it’s time to get planning your magical holiday. Check out our Orlando attraction tickets to get started.
